Anne Steele lived in England from 1716-1778. She was born
in Broughton, where her father, who was a timber merchant, preached at
the Baptist church for 60 years  most of the time without receiving
a salary! She actually lived only 15 miles from the great Isaac Watts,
although it is unlikely that they ever met. Her mother died when she was
3 years old, and when she was 19 she suffered a severe injury to her hip,
rendering her an invalid for most of her life. When she was 21, she was
engaged to Robert Elscourt, but the day before the wedding he was drowned
while bathing in a river! She never was married, and assisted her father
in his pastoral labors for her whole life, although for the last 9 years
of her life, she was never able to leave her bed. Still in spite of all
of this her disposition was described as cheerful and helpful
and her life as one of unaffected humility, warm benevolence, sincere
friendship, and genuine devotion.

John Gadsby says that from early life she was exceedingly
fond of poetry, but was very unwilling for her productions to be submitted
to the public eye. When at last she gave her consent, she would not have
her own name attached to the volumes, but published them under the signature
of Theodosia, and gave all the profits to charity. Her father wrote
in his diary, Today Nanny sent part of her composition to London
to be printed. I entreat a gracious God, who enabled and stirred her up
to such a work, to direct in it and bless it for the good of many. I pray
God to make it useful, and keep her humble.

In total 3 volumes of her poems were published. The first
two in 1760 as Poems, On Subjects Chiefly Devotional by Theodosia. The
third volume was published after her death. She wrote 144 hymns, as well
as 34 psalms in verse. Amos Wells (writing in 1914) says she was the
first woman writer whose hymns came to be largely used in hymn-books,
and she is the greatest Baptist hymn-writer. He describes her hymns
as very simple, clear, and beautiful, breathing a spirit of Christian
faith and resignation. 200 years ago her hymns were very popular
 in 1808, an Episcopal church in Boston published its own hymnal,
and out of the 152 hymns in the volume, 59 were by Anne Steele! (To recognize
the significance of this fact you need to realize that at this period
Baptists and Episcopalians were pretty far removed from each other and
the fact that a Baptist would compose 1/3 of the hymns in an Episcopalian
hymnal is truly remarkable!) Henry Burrage in Baptist Hymn Writers And
Their Hymns (1888) says that over 100 of her hymns can be found in modern
hymnals  more than any other Baptist hymn writer! He says that her
hymns, written to lighten her own burdens, give beautiful expression to
the sweetness of her Christian character, and the depth of her Christian
experience. I must concur! I find her hymns so rich, and yet easily
understood even by those living 250 years after her death!

Dr. Caleb Evans describes her death, Having been confined
to her chamber for some nine years, she had long waited with Christian
dignity for the hour of her departure. And when the time came, she welcomed
its arrival; and though her feeble body was excruciated with pain, her
mind was perfectly serene. She took a most affectionate leave of her weeping
friends around her, and at length, the happy moment of her dismission
arriving, she closed her eyes, and with these words upon her dying lips,
I know that my Redeemer liveth gently fell asleep in Jesus.
She was buried in Broughton churchyard and upon her tomb is inscribed
the following:

Silent the lyre, and dumb the tuneful tongue
That sung on earth her Great Redeemers praise
But now in Heaven she joins the angels song
In more harmonious, more exalted lays

Some may find the hymn she composed upon her fiances
death interesting and so I give it here in full. (The last 3 stanzas are
often sung as a hymn since Augustus Toplady  writer of A Debtor
To Mercy Alone, and Rock of Ages, popularized the hymn in this form in
the 1700s)

When I survey lifes varied scene
Amid the darkest hours
Sweet rays of comfort shine between
And thorns are mixed with flowers

Lord, teach me to adore Thy hand
From whence my comforts flow
And let me in this desert land
A glimpse of Canaan know